Рет қаралды 4,526
I am over the big puddle in Toronto, Ontario, in Canada! I was here on the right day to ring at St James’ Cathedral, on both sets of bells; the change ringing twelve (one of only two in North America) and also the original (albeit strange sounding) Meneely chime of ten. The bass bell of the chime weighs approximately 30cwt and is in Db/C#. All ten were cast by Meneely in 1865 and are now electronically operated.
The ring of twelve bells are a Whitechapel (of various generations and names) ring. The back eight came from Bermondsey in London and were originally a ring of ten. They were removed from Bermondsey in favour of a lighter ring in that tower. The front two of the old ten were recast by Whitechapel in 1997 and augmented to twelve at the same time. The bells were then shipped over to St James' Anglican Cathedral in Toronto, Ontario, and hung in the tower below the present Meneely chime of ten. They are rung regularly by the local band which comprises of a number of British expats! I hope to move to Toronto in a few years time, so I aspire to ring here when I do! I would recommend these bells to anybody who is in the area. They go well, sound lovely and are rung by one of the most friendly bands I have ever met.
A massive thanks to the local ringers for their kind welcome!